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Four Guys Named José and Una Mujer Named Maria
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Pacheco,Perez,Gonzalez-Nacer,Stévans,Rex
Photo by Shashin Desai
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By Joseph N. Feinstein
Q: Where can you see impressions of the finest Latin American singers around today? Or, listen to forty-seven of the most famous Latin American songs ever written? Or, spend two hours watching and listening to song, dance, and music to get those juices flowing?
A: Head over to the ICT Theatre in Long Beach before November 28 to see the longest titled play in their history: 4 Guys Named Jose and Una Mujer Named Maria.
There, Dan Pacheco (José Mexicano), Benjamin Perez (José Dominicano), Gustavo Rex (José Cubano), and Alberto Stévans (José Boricua), will strum, shake and serenade you with a blend of songs representing each of their country's music. And when you add the beautiful, sexy, sultry sounds of Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer as Marie, the show packs on even greater wallop.
The premise is that these four gauchos meet in Omaha, realize they are in a distinct minority in this city, and decide to put on a Latin Revue at the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall. They expect one Maria, but, because of illness, she sends her friend, also named Maria, to take her place. You will be exceedingly happy with the Maria she sent. Guys being guys, the testosterone starts to bubble and we have all four senors looking at the senorita with amor, amor, amor. It's a delightful premise and we are all the luckier for it. The show is well-paced and written cleverly by Dolores Prida. It follows a "who will win this senorita's heart" plot.
The only negative I found in the production is that I would have added a trumpet, trombone, and clarinet to the vibrant sounds of Darryl Archibald on piano, Richard Martinez on Latin percussion, and Dave Lotfi on drums. Those instruments would have added muscle to the somewhat thin sounds of the three musicians.
There may have been about six costume changes, all designed by Nadine Parkos which added festive color and hue to the rather small stage. Tom Buderwitz's set designs kept all five stars pushing and moving scenery throughout. The bright lights and colors effected by lighting designers Tom and Donna Ruzika jazzed up the glowing outfits of the Joses and Maria.
During the play, you will receive a Spanish language lesson, instruction on over half-dozen dances, and some proper ways to osculate. Mainly, you will be entertained grandly with songs and dances to melodies you will remember from days gone by. Oh yes, when buying your tickets, tell 'em this Jose sent you.
Four Guys Named Jose and Una Mujer Named Maria, International City Theatre, Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 East Ocean Blvd, Long Beach. (562)-436-4610. Thurs. - Sat. @ 8:00 PM; Sun. @ 2:00 PM . Tickets $32 - $42
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